LABELEDBY. AND EPSON COLLABORATE TO INTRODUCE THE EPSON DESIGN AWARDS - EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DESIGNERS
Epson who manufacture innovative digital textile printing technology and textile innovators LABELEDBY. have created the “Epson Design Awards powered by LABELEDBY.”
The projects primary aim was to connect design and technology together, into a live experience, that would enhance the knowledge and creativity of the designer. Epson and LABELEDBY. asked ten young, up-and-coming designers to create a garment and a print pattern for apparel.
In summary the Epson Design Awards was best summed up by the winner Sophie Wantia’s comment in answer to the question:
What’s your vision for the future of fashion and the impact of new technology?
“I believe new technologies will definitely influence our way of designing and using fashion, and it is already happening. This could really help us to work more sustainably and think about different design solutions in a future minded way”.
LABELEDBY. and Epson collaborate to introduce the Epson Design Awards - Empowering the Next Generation of Designers
Dutch fashion designers are renowned for creativity, technical finesse, and their innovative approach to apparel design and production. The Dutch academic infrastructure that both incubates, and nurtures the next generation, is long established and widely respected by the worlds fashion scene - thus attracting a worldwide audience.
Investing in the education of the next generation of fashion design – Epson’s Dutch sales office recently partnered with the Dutch design brand LABELEDBY., based in Eindhoven at the Fashion Tech Farm. As an innovative brand - LABELEDBY. are heading for a new fashion frontier and make the perfect mentors to provide inspiring support for the next generation.
As a design label - innovation is fundamental to their creativity; “LABELEDBY. has created a unique portfolio encompassing fabric development, trend research and textile inspiration that explore the boundaries of state-of-the-art fabric innovation. We strive for a personalised, localised and sustainable fashion industry. Therefore, it is our mission to transform the fashion industry through innovation and technology”.
Forming the perfect partnership -
Epson who manufacture innovative digital textile printing technology and textile innovators LABELEDBY. have created the “Epson Design Awards powered by LABELEDBY.”. Fabienne van der Weiden, co- founder LABELEDBY. commented: “It was amazing to collaborate with Epson in order to create a show that is, not just focused on the end result, but is focused much more on the design and production process.”
The projects primary aim was to connect design and technology together, into a live experience, that would enhance the knowledge and creativity of the designer. Epson and LABELEDBY. asked ten young, up-and-coming designers to create a garment and a print pattern for apparel. Their design creations were printed with the new Epson SureColor SC-F10000 and then sublimated onto sustainably sourced textiles. The design collections were presented during the Epson Design Awards catwalk show on 21 October 2021, held in cinema LAB-1 in Eindhoven.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Studio Yma Garay, @studio_ymagaray
Sophia Wantia scooped first place in the awards and a great prize – a new Epson SureColor SC-F500 dye-sublimation printer.
The jury commented: “Very well composed, amazing use of all the technologies. The visual contrast is amazing, and the expression is chic yet local. It truly brought the look and would love to see it in real life”.
Sophie studied Fashion Design at HKU, University of Arts in Utrecht, where she graduated in 2019. After graduating she continued working on ‘Studio Wantia’, a creative studio based on print, textile and fashion design- creating a playful and optimistic world.
When asked if the Epson Design Awards encouraged you to explore digital textile printing further? Sophie commented:
“I’ve always wanted to combine different print techniques, so this was a perfect opportunity to start doing this. I think the printed fabrics by Epson where really beautiful and beyond my expectations, I loved the quality of the printed colours. I’m very honoured to have won the dye-sublimation printer, the Epson Design Awards, and be able to start exploring the possibilities with digital textile printing. I’m very excited to show you all some new work soon!”
Having industry support was a fundamental strategy for the award. “For Epson, this was a wonderful project to show what is possible with our dye-sublimation printers. Unique prints in vibrant bright colours on numerous materials. All of which were locally produced,” commented Jaco van Vuure, Account Manager ProGraphics at Epson. Co-founder of LABELEDBY. Jessica Joosse added: “I really enjoyed seeing how each designer managed to implement their own identity in their textile design while using the same printing technique”.
In second place, came designer Teun Seuren and another great prize for the winner, an Epson SureColor SC-F100 dye-sublimation printer.
The jury commented “Great use of textiles in terms of density, drape and silhouette. The Printing unifies the textures and shows a great amount of expression in a single medium. Putting a bomber on a long flowing dress was just perfect to show the contrast of what the tech can do.”
Teun first studied specialist fashion tailoring at the ROC Eindhoven for four years. Then followed his dream to go to the HKU (Utrecht University of the Arts). Graduating cum laude he then kick-started his career by showing at Amsterdam fashion week.
We asked Teun as the Epson Design Award encouraged you to explore digital textile printing further? “Yes! Discovering digital printing has been on my to-do list for a long time, but after winning this prize I certainly have more inspiration to delve into this further”.
Finally, last but not least and winning another Epson SureColor SC-F100 was Renée Overberg - currently a fourth-year fashion design student at the Willem de Kooning Academy, Rotterdam.
The jury commenting: “This garment demonstrated an interesting, challenging and textured approach to sublimation printing. The top that seemed flat was meticulously textured. The pants with seemed textured were sweetly flat. Moreover, the poetry of the garment itself spoke to the qualities of the technology used and made me want to see so much more.”
We asked Renee what inspired your collection and why?
“My work mainly focusses on ideas about social patterns and my surrounding environments. Questioning and observing my surroundings is something I find very inspirational and important within my work.”
When asked about the fabrics Renee chose to print onto and why choosing sustainable materials was so important to the collection Renee explained: “I chose to print on recycled rPet, which has a linen look and recycled endurance polyester. It was amazing that Epson gave us the option to print onto these materials! Working with sustainable materials adds an extra layer to your work. In my case it perfectly fits with the concept to not constant strive for “complete newness”, and to reuse the materials and its qualities that are already there.”
